Relief returned to many public hospitals after the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) suspended its 84-day nationwide strike, restoring services that had been limited for weeks across federal and state facilities.
The suspension followed an expanded National Executive Council emergency meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment headquarters in Abuja on February 6.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the union stated that the strike was triggered by “a recurring infliction of injustice and a huge trust deficit.”
The union added that it hoped “the Federal Government, as well as other state governments, show both sensitivity and responsibility in ensuring Nigerians avoid this depth of suffering in the foreseeable future.”
Before the strike was called off, public hospitals in several states recorded disruptions in pharmacy, laboratory and other support services that are essential to routine medical care.
Patients in need of surgery and specialised treatment were compelled to postpone appointments or seek alternatives outside government facilities.
Some medical practitioners noted that the industrial action also affected residency training schedules and delayed procedures planned months earlier.
JOHESU acknowledged that maternal and infant mortality rose during the period of the strike and stated that the wider economy experienced losses.
The dispute centred largely on the non-implementation of adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, known as CONHESS, which had been agreed upon as far back as 2014.
While medical doctors under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure have received periodic reviews, other categories of health workers such as pharmacists, nurses, laboratory scientists and therapists have sought similar adjustments.
The perceived disparity has contributed to dissatisfaction among health professionals and has featured in previous industrial actions.
On February 5, representatives of the Federal Government and the union reached agreements that included restructuring the collective bargaining framework and commencing negotiations on CONHESS adjustments.
The resolutions also covered budgetary provisions in the proposed 2026 Appropriation Act, withdrawal of the “no work, no pay” directive and assurances that no member would face victimisation for participating in the strike.
Government officials subsequently confirmed that the directive had been lifted.
This development followed earlier engagements between both sides, including a conciliation meeting in September 2021 chaired by the then minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige.
That earlier truce addressed hazard allowances, retirement age, arrears related to the minimum wage and aspects of CONHESS implementation.
Despite those efforts, disagreements resurfaced, reflecting persistent concerns about the pace and scope of policy execution in the health sector.
The Federal Ministry of Health has indicated that measures are being introduced to improve conditions, including the release of N10 billion owed under the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.
Attention has also been drawn to a 2018 circular from the Federal Ministry of Labour regarding the adjustment of CONHESS for JOHESU members, which remains central to the dispute that escalated in late 2025.
Health economists observe that repeated work stoppages in critical sectors carry financial and social costs beyond immediate service disruption.
Estimates from stakeholders have suggested significant losses in internally generated revenue during the strike period.
Beyond financial implications, interruptions in public healthcare delivery affect low-income households that rely heavily on government facilities.
Extended closures often lead patients to unregulated private centres or to self-medication, practices that may carry additional risks.
Data from the World Bank shows that out-of-pocket health expenditure in Nigeria stood at 71.9 per cent in 2023, compared with 60.16 per cent in 2000 and a peak of 77.39 per cent in 2017.
These figures illustrate the substantial share of medical costs borne directly by individuals and families.
Stakeholders in the health sector have consistently emphasised the need for predictable funding, timely salary adjustments and clear communication between government and unions.
Labour experts note that industrial peace in essential services often depends on transparent timelines and adherence to negotiated agreements.
For many Nigerians, the recent suspension of the strike has restored access to consultations, diagnostic services and emergency care.
The longer-term significance of JOHESU’s agitations lies in the broader questions they raise about remuneration structures, workforce morale and sustainability within the public health system.
As negotiations continue, both government representatives and union leaders face the task of translating agreements into measurable actions that can prevent a recurrence of prolonged shutdowns in a sector central to national wellbeing.